Field Technician - Avian

Mass Audubon • Westport, MA

32d • $20 - $22

About The Position

This Field Technician position will perform daily field work at Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary in Dartmouth, MA and occasionally visit sanctuaries in Barnstable, Wellfleet, and other locations in southeastern Massachusetts. The technician will assist in the monitoring of tidal marsh nesting bird populations. Work includes point count surveys, nest searching, nest surveys, and mist netting for marsh nesting birds. The technician works both independently and within an experienced team to implement bird surveys and mist netting, maintain the project database, and GIS and support project knowledge sharing and outreach activities. In addition, this position maintains and manages project equipment and assists with other wildlife monitoring and management projects at Allens Pond. The technician represents Mass Audubon and engages the public in positive interactions that promote understanding of coastal resilience and threatened wildlife and habitats.

Requirements

• B.S., B.A., or higher in wildlife biology/management, GIS, botany, ecology, zoology, environmental science, or related field; equivalent experience and working towards a relevant B.S./B.A. degree considered
• Three to six months prior experience with mist netting and bird monitoring techniques, data collection, project management, and report completion
• Demonstrated experience with bird identification and survey method
• Ability to accurately identify birds of New England by sight and sound
• Demonstrated experience with GPS and data entry and management
• Demonstrated leadership experience using good judgement in field-based projects; demonstrated strong attention to detail
• Ability to work in physically demanding settings and field conditions; walk long distances across varied terrain while carrying personal and project equipment and occasionally lift and move up to 50lbs
• Ability to interact with project team, partners and the public professionally and work cooperatively and independently
• Availability to work irregular hours including after dawn, before dusk, and some weekends
• Access to a vehicle for daily driving to sites
• Data entry and management skills
• Knowledge of Southern New England saltmarsh ecology and experience working and collecting field data on saltmarshes
• Knowledge of coastal resilience and wildlife issues
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, self-motivation, reliability, flexibility, and positive attitude

Responsibilities

• Work independently and within an experienced team
• Work outside in often challenging conditions to collect project monitoring data
• Collect and store accurate GIS data with a tablet and handheld GPS
• Collect, manage, and store accurate bird survey and vegetation monitoring data
• Participate in internal project team and external partner meetings
• Assist with outreach, and volunteer programs and events
• Assist with project reporting and internal and external communication
• Contribute to fieldwork on various other restoration and monitoring projects as needed

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level